News

community objects to wind turbine plan

RESIDENTS of Stirton and Thorlby have reacted angrily to proposals to site a single wind turbine in the heart of the hamlet.

The 20m high turbine - about the height of Antony Gormley's Angel of the North - is planned for the grounds of Stirton Grange with the electricity generated used by owners, or sold back to the National Grid.

Agents for the owners say impact on Stirton would be 'minor to moderate' and that changes were made to the original scheme following public consultation.

But residents, and Stirton-with Thorlby Parish Council are calling for it to be refused by Craven District Council because of its impact on nearby listed buildings and on the open countryside.

English Heritage has also voiced its concerns and the 'impact on the setting of a group of grade two listed buildings along Stirton Lane'.

The organisation recommends that the council should be clear of a justified and convincing argument before granting planning permission, and that there are no less harmful alternatives in order to achieve the 'expected public benefits'.

In its response to Craven Council, the parish council says while it is generally in fav our of wind energy, the council and its residents condemns this particular plan and recommends refusal.

It would change the appearance and character of the landscape and would be clearly visible from both the A65 and the A59.

"At closer quarters, the whirling blades would distract the eye away from he old buildings of character set in grazing land," says the council.

It is also c oncerned about the impact on the iconic drumlin hills, which it says are of 'great importance to Craven's tourism industry'.

"If council members approve this applic ation, it will clearly indicate to the committee (us) that they have no concern for the visual or audio amenity of Craven's open countryside, for the built environment in an historic village, and for the environment in which birds and bats live, or for the health of residents."